Atlantic Airways, the national carrier of the Faroe Islands, took delivery today of its first CFM powered Airbus A319.The 144-seat aircraft has been “customised” for operations out of the airline’s Vágar base and “extras” on the aircraft include Europe’s first Performance-Based Navigation system (RNP AR 0.1) developed by Airbus subsidiary, Quovadis.

The Airbus introduce an increase in capacity compared with the current fleet of Avro RJ aircraft of more than 50 per cent, enabling lower seat costs, as well as quicker journeys and a greatly extended operational range.

Atlantic Airways selected Quovadis for flight operations consultancy services, to design the first European RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance, Authorisation Required) approach procedures. According to Atlantic Airways, once the system is approved, it will enable the airline's  Airbus A319 to achieve greater operational reliability in the Faroe Islands, which can be affected by low cloud and turbulence in certain weather conditions. The Danish regulatory authorities are currently evaluating the system.

It is also fitted with a head-up cockpit display (enabling the pilots to view the display while looking forward) to improve navigational performance, and a so-called “Florence Kit”, enabling slower approach speeds and better braking. In addition, the aircraft has specially-designed access for medical transportation, which is often required on the airline’s key route to Copenhagen.

The aircraft interior décor has been developed by the airline, working with Faroese artist Anker Eli Petersen and also features mood lighting and drop-down screens. Petersen also worked on aspects of the aircraft’s livery.

Magni Arge, Chief Executive of Atlantic Airways, said: “We selected the A319 as our future platform, having evaluated various alternatives. To provide us with optimal performance and range we have chosen the most powerful CFM engines for the aircraft. This one-aircraft contract, even if small in size, will significantly improve access to the Faroe Islands and the reliability of our lifeline service from the islands. We are proud to present Atlantic Airways’ brand-new Airbus A319 on the occasion of our airline’s 24th birthday.

“The new aircraft will set a new standard in the comfort of passengers and give us the opportunity to offer new destinations and products. And with lower unit costs we can also further pursue our efforts to provide our travellers with lower fares, while still keeping a high standard of service.”

"We are pleased to welcome Atlantic Airways as a new Airbus operator," said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “We congratulate Atlantic Airways on this first Airbus aircraft delivery and we are confident the airline will benefit from the proven reliability, and outstanding and unbeatable low operating costs that the industry’s best-selling single-aisle product line offers."

Paul Franck Bijou, CEO of Quovadis, added: “Atlantic Airways decided to implement the most advanced technology to serve the interest of its operations best and to take full advantage of its Airbus aircraft’s capabilities. Quovadis is very glad to support this highly-qualified Atlantic Airways team.”

The Airbus A319 will make a proving flight to and from Keflavík, Iceland, on Sunday March 25, before entering service on the Faroe Islands to Copenhagen route on Wednesday March 28.

Acquisition of the aircraft has been financed partly from Atlantic Airways reserves and partly through external finance from Íleggingargrunnurin, which invests only in infrastructure projects in the Faroe Islands.

Source: Atlantic Airways